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It’s Summertime – you might have seen the little yellow signs and arrows dotting the roadside as the National Garden Scheme is in full flow and gardens are opening for visitors across the Country.

In Banbury, there are very few open gardens as part of this scheme, which is a shame, as there are some truly stunning gardens here.

There are some open gardens around Chacombe and Middleton Cheyney – but Banbury itself hasn’t really got involved.

We thought you might like to know a bit more about the open garden scheme – and that way, you might be more inclined to get involved in future years.

You don’t need to have a stately home and acres of land to open to the public – as long as your garden is interesting and well maintained, it will be of interest to others and could feature in the NGS Open Garden scheme.

Visitors to the gardens like to be able to speak to those who have been responsible for creating the gardens – so it’s useful to try to remember the names of any plants and flowers that you’ve planted.

Visitors also like to enjoy some refreshments whilst they are enjoying your garden, so if you are prepared to make a cup of tea or offer a slice of cake, that will be very much appreciated.

As the garden owner, you decide when you want to open – it may be once a year, it may be twice a year (to factor in seasonal changes within the garden) – it might only be on one afternoon, or it could be a longer period of time – it’s completely up to you.

For those that open their gardens, they find it great fun – and the warm glow you get from visitors complimenting you on your garden is fabulous and long lasting! It’s also a great way to spur you on to get those garden jobs done – if you’re expecting visitors, you’ll meet the self imposed deadlines!

If you are proud of your garden – (and why shouldn’t you be, if you’ve worked hard on it?) then you might consider becoming part of the NGS Scheme – which raises money for Charity each year. It is simple to get involved – a short application form and then a visit from one of the NGS team to see your garden – no tough interviews, no pitching to the Dragons Den…

More information can be found on the NGS Website – including details of the local gardens that are open this year –http://www.ngs.org.uk/